Cinderella Man Movie Review

Movie Review

Cinderella Man  (2005)

5 out of 5 Stars

This is one of my absolute favorite movies. Starring so many wonderful actors and actresses like Russell Crowe, Renee Zellweger, and Paul Giamatti, Cinderella Man is the true story of the boxer James Braddock living during the Great Depression. I originally saw this movies years ago back in school and have loved it ever since. Not only does the plot move at an appropriate tempo, but it is moving itself and masterfully put together. I cannot speak for its accuracy from any sort of personal or second-hand experience, but I have heard from others that it paints a very good picture of what people had to endure and how they lived. It is a reminder that we are so incredibly lucky today with everything that we have. For those looking at the cover to the left and thinking girly movie, you could not be more wrong. There are mostly boxing scenes, moments when the characters show what people had to do to make ends meet and the different ways that people lived to keep up appearances if they could.

Not only does it bear an incredible story, but it is done so well. The actors' work was phenomenal and they interacted seamlessly with each other. I'm not sure if it had been nominated or had won any awards, but I definitely would not be surprised if it had. The setting and script were amazing too. One of the moments that sticks to me the most is when Braddock was being interview and one of them asks, What do you fight for now? And is reply is, Milk. There were times when he was going to stop, lose a fight. But then thinking about his family and how he could lose his children made him push through when he probably should have stopped. The layout of the movie is done well too, showing the true "Cinderella" part of the story. He started rich and famous, but then the Depression hit and things got bad quickly. An opportunity comes around though and James Braddock is able to pull himself out of his situation and live better. We get to see all of this, along with other information at the end.

The story shown in this film is one of hope and endurance. James Braddock was a symbol for hope and second-chances at this time. Even now, we can take something from this movie: when things have been lost and you are at your worst, a second-chance will come around. Grab it, and look for better days. It may not be easy, but it is more than possible.

If I could, I would give this movie more than 5 stars.

Thanks for reading!

Anticipated Book Releases: August/September

Anticipated Book Releases

August and September

There are always so many good books coming out soon and these are only a few!! I highly recommend looking into them, because I have a feeling they will all be spectacular and I simply cannot wait to get my hands on them. I hope you will join my excitement and read them with me. :)

A Torch Against the Night by Sabaa Tahir

 August 30, 2016

 

Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi 

August 30, 2016

 

Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas

September 6, 2016

 

Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige

September 20, 2016

 

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

September 27, 2016

 

Bright Smoke, Cold Fire by Rosamund Hodge

September 27, 2016

 

Strange the Dreamer

September 27, 2016 

  

 Thanks for reading!

Bristles by Donna Callea Review WITH SPOILERS

Bristles by Donna Callea

Review WITH SPOILERS

4 out of 5 Stars

This was a really interesting book; it was a kind of combination between magic and dystopian societies, but it was blended together extremely well. When it started out, it was almost point by point for Cinderella. Its her and her dad, then he marries a women with two brats, and then he dies and the girl is mistreated by her step-mother, and there's a rich prince charming. Not really unique, but as the plot developed more, there were some more depth and detail.

The entire world was very diverse which was cool to read. There was a stark difference between the bleak drabness of Erba, Bristles home country, and the bright, colorful, and spiritual Fiss, her mother's native country. Erba was very technological and had a huge regard for class and proper positioning in society. Whereas Fiss is very natural and egalitarian and still functions just as well as Erba. There was something that confused me though: in Erba, there were iPad-ish devices that the students and rich used, but at the same time they didn't have cars, only coaches and they mentioned other older things. So it just seemed to be a mix of different time periods, so I couldn't get a good idea of the time period. However, I think that was supposed to be irrelevant, almost like this is all on a different planet.

A huge thing that I loved about this book was that the impossible was made possible. Several times, Bristles was put into a situation that seemed like there was no way out: I couldn't fabricate any sort of escape plan with the given background knowledge and it was almost depressing. But then, she would find a way to get past any boundaries in her way and get done what needed to be done. She is a very strong character and it was amazing to see her grow in confidence and bravery throughout the book, not to mention her skills. She starts as a little bug trapped under her mother's boot, but then grows to be much more than anyone's expectations.

Two little things left:
a) It was really easy to read. It was straightforward not extremely complicated.
b) I really love the idea of becoming one with a tree... I wish I could take a nap in a tree... I'll put that on my bucket list :) 

Thanks for reading!

Bellarke (The 100): A Ship in My Fleet

A Ship in My Fleet

Bellarke 

From: The 100 by Kass Morgan

***I am not sure what I will be spoiling and/or from which books they could be from. Assume this whole post has spoilers***

 

Soooo..... where I'm at the the series (book 1), they aren't really a thing thing yet. But I'm a pro at shipping almost non-existent ships. There is backup for this one though! They had their kiss (one of the best parts) and they are sort of hovering around their feelings for each other. It kills me because this is one of those situations where they're both liking each other, but not saying anything because they're getting opposite signals from the other. Wrong signals, but still there. And they are going to be awesome once they happen in the series- because I have a feeling they will happen- and I will fully support it.

When I Started Shipping:

I am not entirely sure when I started shipping them, but I do. I think it may have been around the time that they were both walking around trying to find the medicine and they were talking about Earth stuff. Their previous misconceptions about personalities were knocked down and they learned that they had common ground between them. They seemed to get along well and then the kiss happened. So that kinda sealed the deal.

 

Favorite Cannon Moment:

That kiss!!! I approve I beyond approve. Approval can barely describe how happy it mad me and it makes me sound like a creep. But it was that moment when the pieces of their personalities clicked and I realized they'll be really good for each other. There were later moments too, when there wasn't anything actually happening, but it was their POVs and they were both just thinking about the other one. I thought those parts were really cute and adorable. It shows that neither of them are pretending or putting on a show.

 

Bellamy:

Not going to lie, I love how he is so protective. It comes from him needing to protect his sister, but it is totally a part of his personality and I can definitely see that spreading into a relationship with Clarke. Not only that, but he genuinely wants to take care of people and has a natural sense of leadership.

Clarke:

I feel really bad for Clarke. She has had a tough time with her parents, and then trying to make the whole Earth thing happen. But she needs someone to rely on and confide in, and Bellamy is a perfect fit for that. He is so similar to her, but at the same time is like the opposite half of her, so there is a balance between the two of them.

Bellarke:

Bellamy and Clarke are the kinds of people that are both independent, but they can work really well together and trust each other and be there for each other and make sure the correct decisions are made. Plus, he made Clarke feel better after her parents death, Wells's betrayal, being captive and exiled, etc. And she was able to get him to stop worrying about Octavia for a little while.

Ten Thousand Skies Above NO SPOILERS

Ten Thousand Skies Above by Claudia Gray NO SPOILERS

4 out of 5 Stars

Overall, I would have to say that I enjoyed the first book more than this one. And it is not because this one it bad, only that so much was being explained and was happening in the first that I feel like this one is slightly lacking in those regards. I do think it makes up for it in character development though. We get to see how the characters have so many different sides in the different universes, and yet those sides are still a part of each of them in every universe. This book also explores some really cool dimensions. My favourite would have to be the underground of New York because I find that stuff so interesting and I think it had some of the more action-filled plot points in it. :)

I would definitely read this and continue on with the series. I think maybe by the end of the trilogy, this may end up being my least favourite of the three, but there are some major things that go on that you can't miss. And the ending is amazing, yet tormenting.

Thanks for reading!

Ten Thousand Skies Above You by Claudia Gray Review WITH SPOILERS

Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird, #2)
by Claudia Gray WITH SPOILERS

4 out of 5 Stars

Overall, I would have to say that I enjoyed the first book more than this one. And it is not because this one it bad, only that so much was being explained and was happening in the first that I feel like this one is slightly lacking in those regards. I do think it makes up for it in character development though. We get to see how the characters have so many different sides in the different universes, and yet those sides are still a part of each of them in every universe. This book also explores some really cool dimensions. My favourite would have to be the underground of New York because I find that stuff so interesting and I think it had some of the more action-filled plot points in it. :)

I would definitely read this and continue on with the series. I think maybe by the end of the trilogy, this may end up being my least favourite of the three, but there are some major things that go on that you can't miss. And the ending is amazing, yet tormenting.

SPOILERS!

Things I Liked:
~The Conley romance. Not gonna lie, this weirded me out at first, but then as the book progresses, it made more and more sense and I love it. Not as much as I love Paul and Marguerite though... Again, there is great character development her for Conley that, at least for me, changes how I saw him.
~The deeper morality conflict. The initial conflict of entering and taking over somebody's body is definitely a big deal in the first book, but even more so here when we see more of how those actions have consequences on the other person's life when the traveler leaves. Especially with Marguerite. You will know what I mean when you finish...
~PAUL AND MARGUERITE!!!!!!!!
~Marguerite's character development was really different now that I think about it. It wasn't typical in that we see aspects of her in her alternate versions' selves, and then how they are also in the main character Marguerite's.

Thanks for reading!

Review: Ignite Me

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

SPOILERY 

I know that these books are received usually in extremes: people either hate them or love them. I think all of them are completely amazing. There were five main things that made it stand out to me.....

1. The writing style. I can see how it annoys some people with the broken sentences and weird spacings but I think the it's brilliant. It adds another creative piece to the story that further emphasizes Juliette's way of thinking, helping connect the reader to her as a person. It makes reading the book even more interesting because it shows the instability and passion that lies behind the characters and story.

2. The whole thing flowed so well together and it was relatively easy to follow (yet not too easy). There were no awkward moments where you had no idea what was going on and you were completely lost. While there were a few surprising moments, it all still fit in with the plot line of the story. I almost want to say that it flowed too smoothly, because there was so much going on that I feel like the end got cut short. There was this major preparation and plotting, etc., etc.; and then like 3 chapters to finish off the Supreme Commander. But other than that, the whole thug worked really well and everything came together really nicely on the end. (Nicely being a relative word- there were a few upsetting parts)

3. How the characters developed. They also just evolved and grew so much and there were so many different aspects of them shown that changes the way you see them. I love these changes because not only if they show more of the characters, but they make them seem more human. Especially when it comes to Adam and Aaron. They just completely develop new traits that are exposed to the reader in the most perfect way. The way she further brings the characters to life in this book really connect the reader to them, which leads me to my next point....

4. The characters themselves. ***coughKenjicough*** Need I say more?

5. WARNETTE!!!!!!!!!!! I love this pairing and the book just made me soooooo happy!!!!!!!!!!!! :) :) :)

Thanks for reading!

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